Thursday, July 6, 2017

Beacon Bits -- A Hand Full of Art


Calligraphy Exhibit

Second Saturday, July 8, 2017

3-6pm*

*4pm-brief class/demonstration

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 15 South Ave, Beacon NY



Br. Roy Parker’s Craft



Calligraphy is a hobby and vocation for Br. Roy Parker, OHC, who lives at the Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY. This exhibition will capture his spirit and his art. Br. Roy will also give a demonstration and brief class at 4pm; materials will be provided for those who would like to follow along with the demonstration and practice the lettering.

Roy’s Calligraphic Journey

Br. Roy first became interested in calligraphy when he encountered the book “Sweet Roman Hand,” (ed. Wilfrid Blunt, 1952), Shakespeare’s term for Italic handwriting in “Twelfth Night. In 1980, he studied with Beva Farmer in Monterey, CA and became part of the lineage of master calligrapher Lloyd Reynolds with whom she had apprenticed. In the last 30+ years, he also studied with of Peter Thornton, Thomas Ingmar and master calligrapher, Reggie Ezell. Br. Roy has also had students of his own and taught workshops.



This joy of sharing his craft has led him to execute an extensive variety of calligraphic pieces in the form of commissions for those attracted to his work. Br. Roy is motivated by engaging with creative beauty, the pleasure of creation, and acknowledges the legacy of his creative acts. Calligraphy has also been a practice of developing patience and self-knowledge.



Br. Roy’s entire print repertoire, which are art quality giclĂ©e prints, are available from The Monk’s Cell Gift and Book Shop. Br. Roy also creates original calligraphy under commission.  Contact him to explore possibilities. To see examples of Br. Roy’s work or to order prints or cards of his calligraphy, visit the ‘monkscell’ Etsy Storefront.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Beacon Bits -- Bergen-Beacon Connection

After reading this morning's New York Times Travel piece 36 Hours - Bergen, Norway
I cannot be silent any longer about the connection I have experienced between Beacon NY and Bergen, Norway especially after recent trips to the gateway city to the fjords. When you read the Times article and learn about the nature scene for hikers, the foodie scene, the music scene and the hang-out scene for drinking beer, you will know what I know about the connection. And now that Norwegian Air will be flying direct to Bergen from Stewart International Airport, it is a no brainer to predict that travelers from Norway and vice versa will understand that there is a link between the fjords of Norway and the fjord on the Hudson. 

Personal photos in album taken in 2014: Bryggen (top), on top of Ulriken with a flashback to Mount Beacon (left), street scene in a neighborhood with its hills and cobblestone streets (right)
Food for Thought: I think it is time for Beacon to go international. Maybe this article is serendipitous. Join me in envisioning an international connection for Beacon and Bergen. Sister cities, anyone?